Our research is based on a broad system perspective, where energy technology, innovation, and policy are linked to sustainable development. Our perspective is global, and we collaborate with many countries and world organizations, some of which are IEA, UNDESA, UNESCAP, FAO, World Bank and SIDA.
We develop quantitative models for optimizing energy systems and develop the basis for strategic decisions on investments, as well as policy. We carry out qualitative analyses regarding the impact of policies on the transition to a sustainable society. Also, synergies and trade-offs between the 169 targets of the 2030 Agenda’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals are carefully analyzed.
Research areas
Integrated Climate, Land, Energy and Water Systems
How do we plan and design systems which are better than their constituent parts? How do we take advantage of synergies, navigate trade-offs and avoid path-dependent traps?
How can we meet the energy needs of the poorest at a price they can afford? How can we achieve SDG7?
Energy Systems and Innovation
What is the role of innovation in unlocking technological change in energy systems? How do innovations at the system level compare to individual technologies? The focus ranges from cities and transportation systems to national and continental energy systems.
Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency
How can we enable sustainability transitions to low and zero carbon societies through a circular economy approach? How can we close loops in the technosphere and the biosphere? What are the potential synergies and trade-offs in practice? What are the appropriate indicators to assess circularity and associated implications for sustainability?
Sustainable Development Interlinkages and Management
What are the synergies and trade-offs across the sustainable development goals? How can we most effectively meet all of the goals?
Science-Policy-Society Interactions
How do we build capacity effectively? What is the best way to train government officials in the use of dES tools? How should we communicate findings from complex models? How can we use stakeholder knowledge?
Open Tools for Systems Science
How can scientific tools, data standards and methods be developed in an open and inclusive way? What drives adoption of open-source scientific tools?
